James B. Rutledge III
Candidate for the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2026. Always verify official ballot status with the Maryland State Board of Elections.
James B. Rutledge III is an attorney with more than 40 years of legal practice in Maryland and the 2026 Republican nominee for Maryland Attorney General. Raised on a Harford County farm and educated in Maryland public schools, Rutledge graduated with Honors from the University of Maryland School of Law. He has served as a Bel Air Town Commissioner and as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for Harford County Circuit and District Courts. Endorsed by the Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Rutledge is running to restore public safety as the top priority of the Attorney General's Office, fight violent and organized crime, prosecute cyber predators targeting the elderly, and defend the Maryland Constitution without partisan politics.
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Verified Policy Stances & Platform
Public record positions, statements, and campaign positions.
Frontline Law Enforcement Partnership, FOP Endorsement & Combating Violent Gangs
Endorsed by the Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police; prioritizes restoring public safety, working hand-in-hand with police and State's Attorneys, and holding adult gang members strictly responsible for exploiting juveniles to commit violent crimes.
"Maryland does not need an Attorney General chasing every political wind blowing out of Washington. We need an Attorney General focused on Maryland. That means an experienced attorney who is dedicated to fighting crime, supporting our police and prosecutors, and protecting victims, and I am that attorney."
Protecting Seniors from Scams, Combating Cyber Predators & Prosecuting Fraud
Pledges to direct the Attorney General's consumer division to combat hackers, financial scam artists, and cyber predators who prey on Maryland seniors and vulnerable residents, ensuring stolen funds are recovered and scammers face justice.
"Rutledge will battle fraud against seniors and vulnerable residents and proactively pursue cyber predators. Combat hackers, cyber predators, and scam artists who prey on the elderly and vulnerable every day."
Defending Small Businesses from Overregulation & Ensuring Predictable Legal Climate
With four decades of experience advising Maryland businesses in estate and corporate law, Rutledge advocates for an Attorney General's office that supports small business growth, enforces contracts predictably, and removes bureaucratic hurdles.
"A proven Maryland attorney with decades of real law practice serving and fighting for the people. As your Attorney General, Jim will employ his vast experience to stand up for Marylanders... The law should be enforced fairly, without political favorites and without double standards."
Classroom Safety, Truancy Accountability & Stopping Gang Exploitation of Youth
Focuses on school and community safety by aggressively prosecuting adult criminal syndicates that exploit underage juveniles to bypass criminal penalties, ensuring schools remain safe learning environments.
"He will prioritize organized crime prosecution and fight juvenile crime by holding the adult gang members responsible for the crimes of the juveniles they recruit and exploit."
Protecting the Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water & Preserving Farmland
Advocates for protecting clean drinking water resources and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, drawing on his background serving on Harford County agricultural and conservation bodies to partner with landowners.
"Protect our precious resources of clean water and the Chesapeake Bay... Rutledge was raised with a strong work ethic on a Harford County farm... and advocated for conservation and farmland preservation."
Depoliticizing the AG Office, Constitutional Governance & Defending Rule of Law
Emphasizes depoliticizing the Attorney General's office to focus strictly on Maryland legal duties and infrastructure oversight, ensuring transportation contracts and state operations adhere strictly to the Maryland Constitution.
"To succeed as Marylanders, we need to come together and get partisan politics out of the Attorney General's office. I will defend the Maryland Constitution, support the people who keep us safe, and put Marylanders first."
Protecting Rural Farmland, Local Aquifers & Communities from Mega Data Sprawl
Committed to preserving Maryland's rural land and water resources, supporting strict legal adherence to local zoning and environmental reviews to prevent industrial mega-data facilities from disrupting communities.
"Protect our precious resources of clean water and the Chesapeake Bay... advocated for conservation and farmland preservation."
Supporting Dependable Domestic Energy Baseload & Reliable Clean Power
Supports reliable, cost-effective energy baseload infrastructure and regulatory certainty for clean energy assets like Calvert Cliffs, reducing Maryland's energy costs.
"The law should be enforced fairly, without political favorites... focusing on Maryland and putting Marylanders first."
Defending Property Rights, Estate Transfer Protections & Reducing Legal Hurdles
Draws on decades of real estate litigation and estate planning experience to protect property owners, streamline estate transfers, and preserve homeownership and generational wealth.
"A proven Maryland attorney with decades of real law practice serving and fighting for the people... protecting Marylanders' rights and the rule of law."
Official Campaign Priorities
- Prioritizing Public Safety & Law Enforcement: Partnering with police, sheriffs, and prosecutors without partisan politics; endorsed by the Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police
- Combatting Violent, Gang & Juvenile Crime: Holding adult gang leaders strictly accountable for recruiting and exploiting juveniles to commit violent offenses
- Defending Maryland's Constitution: Ensuring laws are enforced impartially and rejecting politically-driven litigation from Washington
- Protecting Seniors & Vulnerable Residents: Aggressively prosecuting scammers, hackers, and cyber predators preying on the elderly
- Chesapeake Bay & Natural Resources: Enforcing environmental protections to safeguard clean water, agricultural land, and Chesapeake Bay conservation
Other Candidates in This Race:
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Live Activity Timeline
Republican attorney general nominee James Rutledge, left, is challenging first-term Attorney General Anthony Brown, a Democrat, in November. (Photos courtesy Rutledge campaign; Danielle Gaines/Maryland Matters)He’s outnumbered in voter registration, likely outraised and outspent in campaign donation
Skip to content PROTECTING MARYLAND'S CONSTITUTION JIM RUTLEDGE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL A proven Maryland attorney with decades of real law practice serving and fighting for the people. As your Attorney General, Jim will employ his vast experience to stand up for Marylanders DONATE
The Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) endorsed Republican nominee James B. Rutledge, III in the 2026 race for Maryland Attorney General at its State Conference in Ocean City, citing his devotion to public safety and constitutional government.